Ella’s POV]
I stepped inside the noisy classroom, out of breath from running to the class to make sure I am not late for the first lecture of my university years. And then, biological psychology is one of my favourite topics, I don’t want to miss anything. Little did I know that the professor is that one person that my heart had secretly hoped for, for years. Yes, I am not the typical werewolf. Firstly, I left the pack the night before I turned 18. I left my pack because of all the abuse I got from the people that were supposed to be my family. Strangely, I was told that my mum died in a swimming accident. However, everyone knows that wolves are pretty good swimmers. And yet, everyone in the Blue Delta pack is of opinion that indeed what happened to my mum is true. I was too young to remember what happened in that day. I can still remember the pain, but some details are missing like someone had intentionally erased them. My father was then away with business. Secondly, my father being a denigrated alpha for a crime I don’t know, we were treated worse than the lowest omegas of the pack. A year after my mum died, my father remarried. He did not remarry because he found a new mate but because selfishly, he needed someone to take care of me and my oldest sister. I was only 3 and a half years old when my mum died, and my sister was 7 at the time. Thirdly, I knew that if my mate would be from my pack, I will be rejected without even being given the chance to prove myself. Fourthly, I am the first of my generation to have applied for university. My, grandma from my mum side though me how to make a concoction of lavender and minute amounts of wolfsbane oil, when needing to disguise my smell from other werewolves. I always use this concoction as a perfume to make sure other werewolves won’t find me. I ran away because I want to be left in peace, and I am afraid to suffer the heartache of rejection because I don’t know how much more pain I can take before I crumble.
The lecturer was already present and was casually tidying some papers on his desk, when he suddenly looked up at me, like a cat who suddenly got the scent of her prey. The lecturer didn’t look older than 30, his eyes blue like the summer sky and piercing like he would see into my soul. I felt my cheeks turn hot from his gaze.
“I am sorry, for being late!” I apologized, barely whispering the words. I hurriedly found myself a place in the front row and I occupied my hands with my notebook and pens. Strangely, his gaze made my heart palpitate helplessly.
“No need.” I heard a soft whisper as a reply, if it wasn’t for my wolf hearing I would have missed the words in the chaotic chit-chatter of more than 100 students. I looked around me to see if one of the students was the one who replied. It would have been impossible for the lecturer to hear my whispered apologise. However, all students seemed to be occupied either by talking to the person next to them or tapping their mobiles.
“Now, class,” A deep male voice suddenly spoke up. All eyes switched on the professor, and silence fell in the whole class. “Let me introduce myself to you, dear students!” The professor spoke. “I am Dr Gabriello Fernandez. A Clinical Psychologist, recently transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital, specialising in prosopagnosia and blindsight.” The professor introduced himself. Strangely for the entirety of the lecture I felt drawn to him, like I would be a needle pulled by a gigantic magnet. I didn’t even realise when the lecture was over, and all the other students cleared the room.
“Miss,” The professor called. I looked around and saw the class completely empty. Just me and the drop-dead gorgeous professor were left in the class.
“Yeah, sorry.” I suddenly awakened from my daydreaming to reply to him.
“Do you have any questions?” The professor asked me.
“No, why?”
“Well, you are the only student left in the class. I assume you have some questions related to the lecture.” He continued.
“No. I am sorry; I didn’t get much sleep last night and therefore I am slower than the other students today. I’ll get going.” I quickly raised up and gathered my things to make a quick exit. Without realising I bumped straight into the professor in my way to the exit. Mate, Mate, Mate...my wolf begun to jump into my mind. That’s not right Elpis, I can’t smell or feel anything, and the professor can’t possible be my mate. I scolded Elpis for her behaviour. I didn’t smell the enchanting perfume that I read and heard werewolves say they smell when they meet their mate. I didn’t feel any out of ordinary pull towards him. Well, I did feel like being pulled by a gigantic magnet, but that must be because he is unbelievably handsome, and his voice is enchanting. What more do you need? Elpis asked me. Stop it, would you? I scolded her and she went silent. “Oh, I am sorry, professor! I am really sorry!” I apologised and rushed to get to the exit faster, but he grabbed my left arm to stop me. A strange sensation filled me from within.
“Is that wolfsbane you are wearing?” The professor asked me instead.
“How did you...”
“I think you know how.” The professor answered.
“Are you really like me?” I asked not quite believing.
“A werewolf? Yes, and it seems like I finally found my mate.”
“Yeah, sure!” I quickly pulled my arm out of his grip. The professor grabbed me closer to him and smiled with a nauseating smile, his eyes glistered with a strong orange colour for a few seconds.
“Should I turn now? To prove you that I really am a werewolf and your mate? Turning is the only way my shielding will come off.” He explained, pinning me against the wall.
“If you really are my mate, please don’t reject me, at least not today. Today is my birthday.” I pleaded with teary eyes, all my childhood memories of being bullied by both my classmates and my family and any other member of the pack brought a wave of heartache into my soul.
“Who said I will?” The professor replied, leaning closer to me. Our faces were inches apart and I could feel his minty breath. I suddenly felt hotter and hotter, and a nauseating desire filled me from within.
“Professor!?” Someone interrupted us. The professor suddenly unhanded me and put a safe distance between us.
“Yes.” He answered, a taint of anger could be heard in his voice. And I swear his eyes shinned again in a bright orange colour for a second, too fast for human eyes to detect.
